Podcast Summary

CRIMES: The Tech Bro Murders

Podcast: Conspiracy Theories, Cults, & Crimes
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: January 30, 2026
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into three headline-grabbing murders of tech industry figures—Fahim Saleh, Bob Lee, and Pava LaPere—exploring the complex motives behind each case and how media narratives, often oversimplified, come to define and distort the memory of these victims.

Main Theme & Purpose

Host Vanessa Richardson explores the so-called “Tech Bro Murders,” a media catchphrase for a series of high-profile homicides affecting prominent figures in the tech world. The episode interrogates whether these deaths fit a larger pattern of targeting the wealthy elite or—more uncomfortably—whether the real stories are more personal, complex, and unique than sensational headlines suggest.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the “Tech Bro Murders” Myth

[00:48–04:42]

• Richardson frames the American dream’s evolution and the rise of the tech entrepreneur—a “Tech Bro”—as both aspirational and fraught with danger.
• The media often depicts their murders as assaults on the “1%,” but Richardson urges listeners to look deeper, suggesting that greed alone rarely tells the full story.

Quote [02:23]:

“But that story of an assault on the 1% isn’t so cut and dry… the motive is more complicated than just cash, which makes you wonder, what are the Tech Bro Murders really about and who is actually at risk?”
—Vanessa Richardson

2. The Murder of Fahim Saleh

[04:42–19:00]

Fahim Saleh’s Upward Trajectory

• Child of Bangladeshi immigrants; early entrepreneurial spark (selling candy, creating joke websites).
• Founded ride-hailing companies in developing markets: Pathao (Bangladesh), Gokada (Nigeria).
• Amassed over $150 million, known as the “Elon Musk of the developing world” ([06:30]).

Relationship with Tyrese Haspilot

• Tyrese, a smart but struggling former foster child, met Saleh through a business club and later became his executive assistant ([08:50]).
• Tyrese misappropriated Saleh’s trust: began living out his boss’s lifestyle, then embezzled nearly $450,000 over time ([10:30]).
• Saleh discovered the theft, and Tyrese agreed to pay it back—but the actual losses were far greater than expected.

The Murder Details

• On July 13, 2020, Tyrese waited for Fahim, tased him in his home, and stabbed him; attempted to cover his tracks, but left crucial evidence ([13:27]).
• Tyrese arrested four days later. Pleaded not guilty on grounds of emotional distress, but was convicted of first-degree murder ([15:00]).
• Sentenced to 40 years to life. Saleh’s murder caused anxiety in tech circles, particularly because the killer was a trusted confidant.

Quote [15:08]:

“Fahim Saleh’s murder sent shockwaves through the tech community... The fact that Fahim’s killer was someone he trusted only made the rest of the industry more anxious, and it wasn’t long until everyone started wondering who was next.”
—Vanessa Richardson

3. The Murder of Bob Lee

[19:00–30:01]

Bob Lee: “Crazy Bob” and Tech Visionary

• Missouri-born software prodigy, key developer of Android at Google, CTO at Square, co-creator of Cash App ([20:00–21:05]).
• Hard-partying lifestyle after his 2019 divorce led him into the “lifestyle” scene of San Francisco: parties, drugs, overlapping relationships.

The Fatal Encounter with Nima Momeni

• Momeni, Iranian immigrant and tech entrepreneur with a troubled background, was fiercely protective of his sister, Khazar ([22:00]).
• After Khazar was sexually assaulted by Bob Lee’s acquaintance, Nima blamed Bob for introducing her to the accused ([24:30]).
• Nima confronted Bob, then allegedly drove him across town and stabbed him to death, fleeing afterward ([25:05]).

Dissecting the Narrative

• Media portrayed Lee’s murder as a random attack on the tech elite, but it was ultimately revealed as a personal dispute between acquaintances ([27:23]).
• Nima Momeni convicted of second-degree murder; not yet sentenced as of recording.

Quote [27:34]:

“Bob Lee hadn’t been killed by someone who hated his success. He was killed by a fellow tech bro with millions of dollars to his name.”
—Vanessa Richardson

4. The Murder of Pava LaPere

[30:01–end]

Breaking Tech’s “Boys’ Club”

• Pava LaPere: Not a “tech bro,” but a rising female founder, celebrated as a disruptor and advocate for inclusivity ([30:35]).
• Founded Ecomap (AI support tools) and Innovate Maryland (resources for underprivileged entrepreneurs). At 26, named Forbes 30 Under 30 ([31:30]).

Murder by Jason Billingsley

• Billingsley: violent repeat offender, released early from prison ([32:20]).
• After a brutal crime spree, he tracked and murdered Pava randomly—there was no clear link to her tech status and no known motive other than senseless violence ([33:23]).
• His arrest and conviction led to changes in parole laws.

Challenging the Storyline

• Media and industry included Pava in the “tech bro murders,” implying a pattern that may not exist.
• Richardson notes, “She’d dedicated her life to disrupting the tech industry and getting more women involved. Instead, after her death, she was lumped in with other tech bro murders and assigned a label that she’d fought so hard to change.” ([34:54])

Quote [35:50]:

“The truth is, we still don’t know what Jason’s motive was… all signs point to a severely disturbed individual whose only aim was senseless violence.”
—Vanessa Richardson

5. Media Narratives & What’s Missing

• Critics used these murders as evidence of attacks on tech elites, but Richardson argues each case was unique:
  • Saleh: Betrayal by someone inside his circle.
  • Lee: Personal dispute within the same elite circles.
  • LaPere: Truly random act of violence.

Data Counters Panic

• Violent crime, including murders, decreased in New York, Baltimore, and San Francisco in recent years ([36:45]).
• Overblown narratives about tech people being systematically targeted only serve to traumatize victims’ families and cloud the real issues.

Quote [37:54]:

“In the end, the only similarities between Fahim Saleh, Bob Lee, and Pava LaPere were their line of work, but… the media tried to fit them all into the same box anyway.”
—Vanessa Richardson

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What are the Tech Bro Murders really about, and who is actually at risk?” (Vanessa Richardson, [02:23])
• “Tyrese was funneling money from Fahim’s accounts into his own… used that money to pay off family debts and fund his own high-flying lifestyle.” (Vanessa Richardson, [11:00])
• “Those narratives were disproven when Nima Momeni was arrested… Bob Lee hadn’t been killed by someone who hated his success.” (Vanessa Richardson, [27:24])
• “Pava, who assumed the best in everyone, didn’t question him. She let Jason inside the building.” (Vanessa Richardson, [34:10])
• “She had dedicated her life to disrupting the tech industry and getting more women involved. Instead, after her death, she was lumped in with other tech bro murders…” (Vanessa Richardson, [34:54])
• “Sometimes even that level of influence isn’t enough to escape violence.” (Vanessa Richardson, [38:42])

Timeline & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |------------------------------------|------------------| | Episode intro/theme setup | 00:48–04:42 | | Fahim Saleh case | 04:42–19:00 | | Bob Lee case | 19:00–30:01 | | Pava LaPere case | 30:01–end | | Data debunking panic | 36:45–38:42 | | Closing reflection & credits | 38:42–end |

Final Thoughts & Listener Engagement

Richardson closes by questioning the logic of imposed patterns, urging listeners to reflect:

“Could any of these deaths have been prevented? Whatever the truth is, one thing is the people behind the apps and software we use every day have the power to change the world. But sometimes, even that level of influence isn’t enough to escape violence.” ([38:42])

She invites listeners to share their thoughts and to reflect on who is truly at risk—and whether these patterns say more about our media than about the people behind the headlines.

Summary by Time/Topic Overview

• 00:48–04:42: Tech bro myth, episode framing
• 04:42–19:00: Saleh’s background, betrayal by assistant, murder details, aftermath
• 19:00–30:01: Bob Lee’s career and private life, Nima Momeni, murder motives and media misrepresentation
• 30:01–35:50: Pava LaPere’s achievements, random murder by Billingsley, fallout and legislative changes
• 36:45–38:42: Crime rates, media narrative challenged, closing thoughts

Tone:
Balanced and investigative, offering empathy for victims, skepticism toward simplistic narratives, and engaging listeners for deeper reflection.